Netherlands
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Republic of Ireland

Ireland WNT: Historic draw secured away to Netherlands

The Republic of Ireland Women's team claimed one of their best ever results in holding the reigning UEFA European champions, Netherlands, to a scoreless draw in Nijmegen.

28th Nov 2017

Colin Bell's team produced an incredible performance to shackle their hosts and remain unbeaten in their qualifying group for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

In a game that reached over 50,000 on FAI channels due to eir Sport's broadcast, a Facebook LIVE stream and excellent online coverage, the Ireland players won many new supporters due to their courageous display.

Bell said afterwards: "I cannot praise the players enough. They put their bodies on the line for every second of the game and got an incredible result.

"We've had a long lead-up to the game with 10 days in camp. They've prepared brilliantly, remained focused throughout the week and shown their application in every training session. They've got the result their hard work throughout the week has deserved.

"We're in this campaign now. We've played three away games and got seven points which was the target. We're going to be battling every step of the way during this campaign and this is a huge moment for the players."

While the Netherlands attacked throughout, they also found themselves on the back foot early on. Amber Barrett could have broken the deadlock inside two minutes when she raced onto a through ball but the Peamount United striker could not convert.

Barrett, who was recently named as the 2017 Continental Tyres Women's National League Player of the Year, found herself in position on another two occasions to possibly shock the home team but her efforts did not rustle the back of the net.

The hosts, who were playing in front of a 12,000-strong sold out crowd, were given an early wake-up call through Barrett's efforts and they struggled to find a way past Ireland's rearguard, who worked tirelessly throughout.

Even when they thought that they had scored from set-pieces, Tyler Toland - only 16 years old - was in the right place to clear off the line on two occasions. It was that sort of discipline and work ethic that drove the Ireland team on.

Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema was a constant threat and rattled the woodwork with an effort before the interval. While Ireland goalkeeper Marie Hourihan pulled off a superb save on a night when she truly impressed.

Substitute Leanne Kiernan had a chance of setting up a winning goal when she sprinted clear of her marker and connected with a pass from Denise O'Sullivan but she could not link back up with her team-mate when inside the penalty area.

With victories away to Northern Ireland and Slovakia already secured, this historic draw keeps Ireland firmly in the hunt for a place the 2019 Women's World Cup.

Next up is a double header against Slovakia and Netherlands in April 2018 at home - games which all 2017/18 FAI Season Ticket holders can avail of free entry to.

Ireland WNT: Scott confident of Netherlands upset

Republic of Ireland defender Harriet Scott believes the Women's National Team can recover from recent injuries to get a result against the European Champions, the Netherlands.

27th Nov 2017

Colin Bell's WNT face the Netherlands in the De Goffert Stadion, Nijmegen tomorrow night with kick-off at 7pm (8pm local time) as Ireland look to continue their unbeaten campaign.

Ireland are set to miss a number of players with Megan Campbell likely to miss the entire campaign due to a knee injury whilst Stephanie Roche and Aine O'Gorman are still out from injuries sustained in the 2-0 win over Northern Ireland.

UCD Waves defender Claire Walsh and Celtic striker Ruesha Littlejohn also had to pull out of the squad due to injury whilst Wexford Youths striker Claire O'Riordan also left camp due to family-related matters.

Despite the amount of players ruled out of the Netherlands game, Scott has praised the quality of training during the week-long training camp and believes the side can continue their impressive form.

The WNT defender said: "We're obviously missing a few big players. Aine and Stephanie are still out and then to lose Megan was a big blow. We all hope that she can get through it and get back to playing for her country as soon as possible.

"We're going into the game unbeaten and with two wins under our belt so we couldn't be in a better position coming into it really. They were two really strong performances against Northern Ireland and Slovakia but we know we can continue to improve.

"I think training has shown that there is plenty of quality throughout the squad and the players which have came in have done an excellent job so there's still plenty of competition for places across the pitch.

"It has been an excellent week of work. We've had a longer camp to prepare and the training has been top quality on each day. We're getting in the right amounts of rest as well so we're all really looking forward to it."

Netherlands claimed a 5-0 victory in Slovakia on Friday and also claimed an impressive 1-0 win over top seeds Norway in their opening group game so both sides are unbeaten heading into the fixture.

The De Goffert Stadion will be a 12,000 sell-out on Tuesday night and Scott admits she is looking forward to the atmosphere as Ireland look to claim an important result against the European Champions.

She added: "It's going to be special. The Netherlands will be a completely different kettle of fish from what we've been up against before and the atmosphere will be incredible.

"A lot of our players won't have played in front of such a big crowd so it will be a great experience. We'll have to get used to it quickly but I think it will get the best out of us. You want to play in these huge occasions, that's why you play international football.

"There is no doubt we'll have to be at our very best to get a result and we've done a lot of analysis work on them looking at where they are strong.

"A lot of people have wrote us off already but we don't think like that. We like a challenge and the attitude and determination is there for us to get the result we need."

Team News: Ruesha Littlejohn (injury) and Claire O'Riordan (family) have had to pull out of the Netherlands squad. Colin Bell has called in Shelbourne defender Niamh Prior and UCD Waves attacker Dearbhaile Beirne to replace them.

Ireland WNT: Bell names 21-player squad for Netherlands

Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Head Coach Colin Bell has named a 21-player squad for the upcoming FIFA 2019 World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands.

17th Nov 2017

Ireland are set to face the Netherlands on Tuesday, November 28th, with kick-off at 7pm (8pm local time), at De Goffert in Nijmegen.

The Netherlands won the UEFA European Championships in the summer and are set to face Ireland in front of a sell-out 12,000 crowd after they started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Norway in October.

Ireland go into the game against the European Champions unbeaten in their campaign so far having picked up two impressive 2-0 wins over Northern Ireland and Slovakia in the first two games of the qualifying campaign.

With the team unbeaten, head coach Colin Bell has named a squad which sees just one change with Cork City WFC goalkeeper Amanda Budden recalled to the squad after she missed the trip to Slovakia due to college comittments, replacing fellow Cork City WFC goalkeeper Eve Badana.

The squad includes 10 Continental Tyres Women’s National League players who’ve have been training at FAI HQ, Abbotstown in home-based sessions, with a selection of Under-19 and Under-17 internationals since the WNL season ended at the start of November.

Republic of Ireland Head Coach Colin Bell said: “When the draw was made, the game against the Netherlands was always one which is going to excite the players and the staff.

“Since the draw, they won the European Championships in the summer and also beat the top seeds Norway in their first qualifying game so we know we’re set to face one of the best teams in the world at the moment.

“However, we’ve demonstrated in our first two games of the campaign how good we are and we need to carry that confidence into the game. We’ve kept two clean sheets, both away from home, and we’ll need to show those same qualities in the Netherlands to get a result.

“The players will report in on Monday so we can take advantage of the full international window and have the best preparation ahead of what will be one of the most difficult tests of our campaign.”